Pontypool Edge Gripping Contest

This is what Welsh club rugby is all about. Two teams going at it toe to toe with nothing left in the tank at the end of the contest. So it was that Pontypool entertained Neath in their latest Championship match on a glorious afternoon in Pontypool Park. The recently mown pitch looked perfect and a gentle breeze blew across the pitch. A good crowd had gathered to watch two teams who would surely be slugging it for promotion to the Premiership. You could feel the nervous tension as the kick-off approached.

A poignant minute’s applause for Eddie Butler and ardent Pooler supporter Alan Gwatkin only served to rack up the tension. I think we all knew that, even this early in the season, this was going to be a key fixture.

Neath played down the slope in the first half and, after a brief attacking flurry from Pooler, exerted control on proceedings through their powerful forwards. The visitors dominated the contest both in terms of possession and territory with their set piece looking strong. It took a tremendous effort from the home defence to prevent them from scoring a try. At the end of the first quarter all Neath had to show for all their hard work was a solitary penalty from Williams (0-3).

Tactically there was a striking contrast between the two sides with Neath using a kicking game from their own half and then using their powerful runners to set up scoring opportunities in the Pooler half. On the other hand, Pontypool were looking to put pace on the game and use their three quarters to run at Neath whenever they could. Of course, Pooler needed the ball to do this and possession was in short supply.

Early in the second quarter Pooler drew level from a penalty kicked by Jarvis (3-3) and then attacked from the Neath kick off. The result was a quite brilliant try with well-timed passing by the backs putting runners in space. Smith got to the Neath twenty two before kicking ahead and beating the cover to the touchdown for a try. Jarvis converted from wide out and Pooler held a rather unlikely 10-3 lead.

This lead was short-lived as Neath came storming back. Their forwards rampaged down the field as if they had had been stung by a swarm of wasps. Pontypool could not stop them and scrum half Griffiths dived over for the try that was converted by Williams (10-10).

For the rest of the half, it was again Pooler on the defensive and they held out until the last minute when Neath were awarded a penalty that Williams converted. Neath held a narrow lead at 10-13 when the teams left the field for the half time break.

It was clear that Pontypool would have to step it up if they were going to turn things around in the second half. Whilst they had defended stoutly, they had made too many errors and conceded too many penalties to trouble the well-organised Neath outfit in attack. The coaching staff will have called for a big effort in the second half that was for sure.

Straight from the kick-off, Pontypool went on the attack with the forwards almost taking Neath by surprise with the ferocity of their attacking play. This was what the home fans had been waiting for and they roared their approval. Pooler hammered away at the Neath line and finally Nove plunged over for their second try. The conversion from Jarvis put Pooler back in the lead at 17-13.

Pontypool continued to attack strongly but were hamstrung to an extent by an ever-increasing penalty count as they got on the wrong side of the referee. Eventually their attacking play bore fruit as Jones powered over for a try after a long period camped in the Neath twenty two. Pooler had opened up a 24-13 lead with twenty five minutes remaining.

A loss of concentration from the kick-off lead to a tremendous Neath counterattack. They were stopped just short of the line but it led to a yellow card for Pooler substitute flanker Herbert. Neath continued to press through their forwards and Pooler were repeatedly penalised as they tried to keep them out. In the end the pressure told and Neath scored a try through Crocker that was converted by Crocker (24-20).

The momentum was now clearly with the visitors and soon they were back in the Pooler twenty two. Another flurry of penalties conceded and Pooler were down to thirteen men with a yellow card for Brown. A tremendous defensive effort was ultimately to no avail as Crocker crossed for Neath’s third try for the afternoon. The conversion failed but Neath had stormed back to hold a one point lead with less than fifteen minutes remaining (24-25).

Herbert returned to the field and this was the cue for Pontypool to go on the attack - and how! A huge response followed from the home team roared on by the supporters and Pooler were quickly back on the Neath line. Mahoney crossed for the all important fourth try. The conversion from Jarvis followed and Pontypool were back in front at 31-25.

Pontypool continued to attack and were awarded a penalty which Jarvis failed to convert. Fortunately, from the ensuing drop out he was given another go and this time he did not miss and Pooler now had a nine point lead (34-25) with a few minutes left on the clock.

Neath are made of stern stuff and were soon back on the attack and were rewarded with a try by Welsh international wing Brew in the left corner. The conversion missed narrowly but Neath still had a glimmer of a chance with the score 34-30.

A couple of minutes later, the referee blew the final whistle to the relief of the home fans and Pooler had held on for a hard-earned victory. Final score Pontypool 34 Neath 30.

What a tremendous game of rugby with both sides contributing to a closely fought contest. Pontypool will be mighty glad to come way with a victory that looked unlikely in the first half. They will reflect on their high penalty count and the two yellow cards which could have turned a narrow victory into defeat. This was indeed Welsh club rugby at its best and a fitting epitaph for Eddie Butler who had been involved in many such tussles with Neath over the years. Well done to everyone involved.

I was sad to hear that Ben Jeffreys was stepping down as CEO of Pontypool. He has been a tremendous asset to the club during his tenure. The Jeffreys family have brought stability and success to the club when it was in its darkest hour and Ben has been at the heart of it. He leaves with Pontypool in a good place. Let us hope Pontypool can go the extra mile and gain promotion to the Premiership that has been denied for so long. Best wishes and thanks Ben.

Next week Pontypool entertain Trebanos so there will be no time to relax.

Come on Pooler!